Valuing Older People

DUP Ministers have a strong track record of delivering for the Province’s older people.

Over the four year Assembly term, the DUP will seek to:

Focus on the positive contribution and potential of older people

Produce a Positive Ageing strategy

Provide the opportunity for older people to play a full and active role in the community

Recognise older people’s knowledge, experience and skills by supporting schemes such as the Prince’s Initiative for Mature Enterprise

Seek to conduct an automatic payments pilot in the Province for Pension Credit, perhaps amongst females- an estimated 34% of those entitled do not claim Pension Credit, and automatic payment would address the barriers associated with low uptake and have the potential to add in excess of £1 million per week into the Northern Ireland economy

Extension of the Warm Homes Scheme with a more flexible approach to permit those with oil or gas boilers to receive repairs or upgrades

Ensure the effectiveness of the Older Person’s Commissioner role, making Northern Ireland an example of best practice internationally in dealing with the rights and interests of older people

Legislate to increase sentences for attacks on older people

Consider the case for legislation to protect vulnerable older people from abuse

Continue to make the case at Westminster for a fairer state pension linked to earnings

CARE OF OLDER PEOPLE

Produce a long-term strategy for Caring for our Older People

Introduce a Dignity Charter for Older People in Hospital

Replicate elements of the Partnership for Older People Projects in Scotland which have promoted health, delayed any need for higher intensity care and reduced overnight hospital stays, use of Accident and Emergency Departments, therapist appointments, GP phone calls and appointments and visits to practice nurses- Laing and Buisson found in 2008 that postponing entry into residential care by adapting people’s homes saves over £28,000

Explore potential local telecare interventions

Reinforce teams to ensure care assessments are conducted swiftly

Amend process so patients are not delayed in hospital waiting on confirmation of funding for a care bed

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